Karnataka CM submits memorandum to PM Modi for NDRF funds

Bengaluru, Mar 9 : Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumarawamy met the Prime Minister Narendra Modi at New Delhi today and submitted a memorandum seeking immediate release of Rs 2064.30 crore from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to take up drought relief works in the State.

In the memorandum, copy of which was released to the media here on Saturday, Chief Minister briefed the Prime Minister about the severe drought condition prevailed in the State due to failure of rain. He stated that the cumulative loss due to flood and consecutive droughts during 2018-19 was about Rs 32,335 crores and had caused huge loss to the economy of the State.

The State government had declared 156 taluks as drought affected during 2018-19 and out of which about 107 taluks categorized as severely affected. The Chief Minister has brought to the knowledge of Mr Modi that the Union government recently released Rs 949.49 crore as central assistance as against the NDRF norms of about Rs 2060.30 crores.

The Chief Minister in his memorandum has also mentioned about the implementation of the Crop Loan Waiver Scheme of the State government to mitigate the financial burden of the farming community in the State. (UNI)